By Tere Alex – EM TV, Port Moresby
The annual Southern Region Rugby 9s Tournament is on again. 60 teams dominated by the Central Province took the Murray Barracks Oval attracting thousands of spectators, as the matches unfolded under the scotching Port Moresby heat this afternoon.
Teams came from as far as Aroma Coast, Milne Bay and Northern Province, including the defending champions Nova Nama who are hoping to repeat the feat.
Other teams have shown class with unsung talents anticipated to bring their teams up a notch in the duration of the tournament.
The one-week tournament hosted and organised by Solomon Ravu has grown from strength to strength over the years and has gained support from the participating teams, PNG Rugby Football League including Port Moresby Rugby League who have assisted the tournament with referees.
Tournament Director, Solomon Ravu was pleased to unfold the 2014 Southern Regions Rugby 9s tournament, saying this is the pinnacle of marketing the raw talents while bringing in Southern Region’s elite players to share their experiences on the field.
Nova Nama, the 2013 Champions are hoping to retain their title while Maopa Paio from the Aroma Coast fielded with both experience guns in the likes of Abavu brothers and youngsters Varage Wari who is under the Adrian Lam Rugby League Foundation.
60 teams are placed into 15 pools with four teams to each pool. The tournament continues tomorrow and finals are expected on Friday.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=gnxWPnjuoxI%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
